Punsand Bay, QLD – 211 km

Both Doug and Norma had an unusual experience in the dark last night. While returning from the bathroom there was a whoop, whoop, whoop noise over our heads from the huge wings of fruit bats we had stirred out of the trees. Don’t know who was more startled, us or the bats.

We woke to a foggy day with the ground and everything being very wet with condensation. Initially this did help a bit with the swirling red road dust. We thought the vehicle was dirty yesterday but with all the wet and dust it is now really dirty with the thick layer of red mud. Now we know why the rental company asks you to bring the vehicle back with some of it washed off.

Overnight two 10 inch high termite mounds appeared in the middle of the road. It is amazing how quickly these little workers can build.

Not knowing how long it will take to get places on these corrugated roads we made a fairly early start. We filled the vehicle up with diesel and Doug had a chat with the old fellow who owns the place. We  heard a few days ago how the Jardine Ferry was not running as someone had driven off the end. He just laughed and said it was the “Chinese whisperers” at work again and it was actually being serviced. He told Doug that if he cut his finger that by the time the story got back to him via the rumor mill it would be he had lost his arm to a croc.

 

While driving along Doug came to an abrupt stop as he had spotted something on the road. Into reverse we went and low and behold it was a beautiful mushroom growing in the red dirt at the side of the road. Can you tell how thrilled he is? See picture.

  

Our next stop was Fruit Bat Falls and where we had a nice walk in the rainforest. The falls are beautiful and a very popular swimming area as the water is warm and no crocs are present in this area. There were some interesting flowers including the pitcher plant which attracts flies and dissolves them with enzymes to provide food for the plant. See photo

Pitcher Plant

We had planned to also drive to Elliot Falls but the first creek crossing was very deep and long and after watching two vehicles go through we decided against it. One of the drivers came over to give us some tips – stay to the left where it isn’t as deep- but with the rental agreement in place (we were not actually supposed to be on that road) we don’t feel we need to take any chances as.

Fruit Bat Falls

The Jardine River Ferry was our next stop. For $99 we had a return trip ticket as well as free bush camping under permit from the aboriginals as this is their land. We may try one of these camps on our return trip south. The ferry runs on an as needed basis between 8 am and 5 pm and only holds a few cars at a time.

Ferry

We are nearly at “the top”. We had read about the need to stop at the “Croc Tent” which is literally a tent where they sell all sorts of Cape York souvenirs. It is virtually out in the middle of nowhere!

Punsand Bay

We are at a beautiful campground on the ocean at Punsand Bay. The water and beach looks very inviting but there is a reason they have a pool for the kids: the estuarine crocs are in the waters here and in fact one was sighted today.

The Canadian flag were are flying continues to draw campers over for chats. The last fellow was from Tasmania whose daughter lived in Vancouver for awhile thus his grandkids have dual citizenship.